Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

gonk · Dec 3, 2008, 06:12 PM

I have an appointment with an apple genius tomorrow to take care of my recently deceased Macbook Pro (the 3rd version, with the nvidia 8600 in it... I'm hoping it's just the graphics chip, so I can get the thing fixed for free.) I have read stories about how repair geeks love going through people's hard drives and I was wondering if it is necessary to take the hard drive out before taking it in, or will that cause problems, or is it not really necessary?

Also, how long will they hold it if it does turn out to be an issue with the graphics chip?

amazing · Dec 3, 2008, 06:47 PM

Never send anything off to Apple unless you've got it all backed up. Have you got another Mac where you can connect the MBP in Firewire Target disk mode, then back it up, and what not?

gonk · Dec 3, 2008, 07:05 PM

I have a really old mac (a blue&white g3) somewhere... I didn't know you could do whatever that is you are describing. How do you do that? Do you need a special cable? I'll try googling that....

But, why take the risk of them snooping around? I can just take out the drive, right? Or do they need it for something? (My MBP is no longer under warranty, so that's not an issue.)

Maflynn · Dec 3, 2008, 08:53 PM

Unless you have pron or credit card numbers I'd not be worried about them snooping around.

They work on so many computers they'll not be spending too much time looking to see what you have.

Simon · Dec 4, 2008, 03:39 AM

Don't remove the disk. Chances are they'll complain that they can't properly verify your claims if the unit has been altered.

Make sure you back up your stuff properly though. Put sensitive or private information in encrypted disk images. Create another admin account with a different password for the support people to use. Needless to say, I wouldn't leave pirated or any other illegal content there. I agree with Maflynn they don't have time to sift through your stuff, but if they see something obviously illegal they might take action. No reason to tke any chances.

amazing · Dec 4, 2008, 08:10 PM

Mostly I'd be worried that Apple decides it's something more extensive than the graphics chip, and somehow, somehow, the HD gets wiped and the laptop comes back with a clean install. Has been known to happen, not often, but what the hey?

That's why it's gotta be backed up, and why you should either back it up yourself in firewire target disk mode, and have someone else do it...

thechidz · Dec 5, 2008, 12:30 AM

Originally Posted by gonk

I have an appointment with an apple genius tomorrow to take care of my recently deceased Macbook Pro (the 3rd version, with the nvidia 8600 in it... I'm hoping it's just the graphics chip, so I can get the thing fixed for free.) I have read stories about how repair geeks love going through people's hard drives and I was wondering if it is necessary to take the hard drive out before taking it in, or will that cause problems, or is it not really necessary?

Also, how long will they hold it if it does turn out to be an issue with the graphics chip?

if its the graphics card it wont matter about the hdd. take it to apple and see what is wrong

CharlesS · Dec 5, 2008, 01:24 AM

Here's what I do:

1. Run a full Time Machine backup.

2. Delete the Keychain, source code, other confidential stuff

3. (don't forget this step!) Make a paper list of what I deleted, so I remember everything that needs restoring from backup when I get the computer back.

4. Erase free space in Disk Utility.